Transform your meal preparation and delight your family with these incredible 28 Slow Cooker Side Dishes. From holiday feasts to busy weeknight dinners, mastering the art of Crockpot cooking for sides is a game-changer. These easy, delicious recipes not only free up precious oven space, making them perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but also bring rich flavors and effortless convenience to your kitchen. Get ready to discover your new favorite slow cooker dishes that complement any main course!
Just as every great hero needs a reliable sidekick, a fantastic entrée truly shines with the perfect accompaniment. Side dishes are essential for creating a well-rounded and satisfying meal, elevating flavors and ensuring everyone at your table leaves feeling nourished and happy. And when it comes to effortless preparation, nothing beats the trusty Crockpot.
Effortless & Delicious Crockpot Side Dishes for Every Occasion
It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of the slow cooker! Our collection has grown to three, simply because they make mealtime incredibly easy. Imagine tossing ingredients into a single pot, walking away for a few hours, and returning to a perfectly cooked, hot dish. That’s the magic of Crockpot cooking. It’s ideal for busy weekdays, especially when working from home or managing different schedules. Dinner can stay warm and ready until everyone is home, ensuring a delightful hot supper for the whole family.
This comprehensive roundup features 28 of our favorite slow cooker side dish recipes, designed to pair beautifully with a wide variety of entrées and main courses. Whether you’re craving comforting starches, vibrant vegetables, or hearty legumes, we’ve got you covered. These versatile dishes are fantastic for special occasions, holiday gatherings, family dinners, and even make wonderful leftovers for the next day. Prepare to make your cooking experience simpler and more enjoyable!
CrockPot Stuffing (or Dressing)
Whether your family calls it stuffing or dressing, this CrockPot recipe is a phenomenal way to reduce holiday stress. It not only saves valuable oven space but also allows guests to easily serve themselves seconds throughout your Thanksgiving dinner, keeping the dish perfectly warm in the slow cooker. Its savory, comforting flavor and hands-off preparation make it a consistent favorite for any festive gathering.
Crock Pot Parmesan Potatoes
Indulge in the rich, cheesy goodness of these slow-cooker Parmesan potatoes. They are an exquisite addition to any meal, particularly a classic Italian-themed dinner. Imagine them alongside savory pasta, a comforting bowl of Zuppa Toscana, and a delightful tiramisu for dessert. You can customize the texture by using either shaved or grated Parmesan, depending on your preference for how well the cheese blends into the potatoes. We often opt for shaved Parmesan when it’s on hand, offering a beautiful visual and textural element.
CrockPot Sweet Potato Casserole
No matter if your holiday tradition involves ham or turkey, this slow-cooker sweet potato casserole is an absolute must-have classic side dish. Its creamy texture and sweet, comforting flavors perfectly complement any protein. The recipe post includes valuable tips for making it vegetarian or vegan, ensuring everyone at the table can savor this delectable creation. Finish it off with a fluffy layer of toasted marshmallows or crunchy pecans for an unforgettable Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner side. It’s truly one of my personal favorites!
Crock Pot Bacon Wrapped Potatoes
Inspired by the popular sentiment that “everything is better with bacon,” these Crock Pot bacon-wrapped fingerling potatoes are simply irresistible. As they slowly cook in a savory broth, the potatoes absorb the rich, smoky flavor of the bacon, creating a truly decadent side. For a lighter option, consider using turkey bacon, or for vegetarian and vegan diets, meatless bacon crumbles work wonderfully, infusing a similar depth of flavor.
Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes and Apples
Even the most hesitant vegetable eaters will fall in love with these perfectly cooked layers of brown sugar-infused sweet potatoes and apples. We prepare ours in elegant medallions, making them easy to pick up with a fork, though some prefer to mash them together for a creamy, potato-like consistency. This delightful sweet and savory side is particularly fantastic when paired with pork or roasted chicken, offering a comforting flavor profile that’s perfect for autumn evenings.
CrockPot Corn Pudding
Requiring only six simple pantry staples, including your choice of fresh, canned, or frozen corn, this easy yet incredibly flavorful corn pudding is a versatile side dish. It’s equally at home on a festive holiday table as it is for a quick weeknight dinner. Enjoy it in its classic form, or add a generous layer of shredded cheese for an extra rich and cheesy version that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Loaded CrockPot Mashed Potatoes
When the weather turns chilly and you’re craving a comforting, stick-to-your-ribs meal, loaded mashed potatoes are the ultimate indulgence. This slow cooker recipe makes preparing them incredibly easy and allows for numerous substitutions to suit everyone’s taste. Feel free to get creative with your favorite cheeses, bacon, and herbs to find that perfect combination your family will want on regular rotation. It’s a side dish that truly warms the soul.
Crock Pot Cornbread
This easy Crock Pot cornbread recipe serves as a fantastic reminder of your slow cooker’s incredible versatility. It’s not just for entrées; it’s a multi-use kitchen gadget and an absolute must-have in our household. Pair this tender cornbread with our hearty Crock-Pot Beef Stroganoff or with sweet Crock-Pot Caramel Sauce and Apples for a truly satisfying and complete meal. It’s a comforting staple that complements both savory and sweet dishes.
CrockPot Creamed Corn
This classic creamed corn recipe allows you to bypass the canned version and create a flavorful, homemade dish while saving invaluable oven space. This is especially useful during the hectic Thanksgiving and holiday season when you’re preparing multiple dishes and need efficient, hands-off cooking methods. Enjoy the rich, creamy texture and sweet corn flavor of this comforting side, made effortlessly in your slow cooker.
CrockPot Glazed Carrots
These CrockPot Glazed Carrots, starting with two bags of convenient baby carrots, are a guaranteed hit even with the pickiest eaters. The magical combination of orange juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla gives these tender carrots a dessert-like quality that even children will eagerly devour. It’s a wonderfully sweet and savory side that perfectly complements any roast or holiday meal, making vegetable consumption a delight.
CrockPot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Are you looking for creative ways to use up mounds of leftover holiday ham, beyond just sandwiches or omelets? This slow cooker scalloped potatoes and ham recipe offers a delightful culinary diversion. It’s a rich, creamy, and comforting dish that’s destined to become a weekend brunch favorite or a satisfying weeknight meal. The tender potatoes and savory ham are perfectly bound in a delicious cheesy sauce, all with minimal effort.
Crock Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
One of the true joys of CrockPot cooking is being tempted by the delicious aromas wafting through your home as dinner simmers throughout the day. This comfort food classic, Crock Pot Chili Mac and Cheese, is no exception. Its hearty blend of chili and cheesy macaroni is incredibly satisfying. You can easily adapt this recipe to your dietary needs by swapping ground beef for ground turkey or meatless crumbles, making it a versatile dish. This robust crockpot side dish is also ideal for potlucks and gatherings, always a crowd-pleaser!
CrockPot Garlic Mushrooms
While we understand mushrooms aren’t for everyone, if you’re a mushroom enthusiast, this recipe is crafted specifically for you! These succulent Italian-style garlic mushrooms are perfect partners for an Italian-themed dinner, adding a burst of savory flavor. They also make exquisite appetizers for a cocktail party, effortlessly enhancing your culinary spread with their rich, earthy taste and tender texture.
CrockPot Bourbon Baked Beans
This exceptional slow cooker recipe harmonizes three beloved elements: rich bourbon, savory bacon, and belly-filling beans, creating a baked bean dish you’ll want to enjoy year-round. We particularly love serving it at summer barbecues and cookouts. The beauty of the slow cooker means you can keep it on a low setting, allowing guests to help themselves to perfectly warm, delicious baked beans as the festivities unfold. It’s a guaranteed hit for any gathering!
CrockPot Refried Beans
Here’s another fantastic recipe that lets you bypass the canned aisle and create incredibly delicious refried beans right at home, all for a fraction of the cost. You can easily substitute black beans for pinto beans to explore a different flavor profile, or even combine them for a unique blend. These homemade refried beans are the ideal accompaniment for a Mexican-themed dinner or your next Taco Tuesday, adding authentic flavor and freshness to your meal.
CrockPot Green Bean Casserole
We absolutely adore this slow cooker green bean casserole recipe because it utilizes frozen green beans, making it easy to stock up when they’re on sale. By doing so, and by purchasing other holiday staples like ham, turkey, and corn during off-season sales, you can cook from your freezer and minimize stressful grocery store trips closer to the holidays. This simple method ensures you have all the ingredients on hand for this comforting, classic side dish whenever you need it.
Crock Pot Vegetarian Chili
Chopping onions may forever remain a tear-inducing challenge, but this plant-powered chili makes it all worthwhile! This recipe delivers all the robust goodness of a hearty chili without any meat, making it an excellent, satisfying alternative for vegetarians and vegans. If you desire a “meatier” texture while keeping it vegetarian, feel free to add cooked meatless crumbles. It’s a wholesome and filling dish that’s perfect for a cozy night in.
Slow Cooker Candied Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are naturally delightful, but with the addition of a sugar substitute, pure vanilla extract, and a hint of nutmeg, these candied sweet potatoes reach a new level of deliciousness. If you’re a fan of our CrockPot Sweet Potato Casserole and CrockPot Glazed Carrots, you are absolutely going to adore this easy-to-make CrockPot recipe. It’s a wonderfully sweet and tender side, ideal for holiday meals or any time you crave a touch of warmth.
CrockPot Applesauce
This simple slow cooker recipe transforms a humble sack of apples from the grocery store – any variety works beautifully! – into a flavorful, cinnamon-infused applesauce that you can enjoy for breakfast, as a snack, or alongside various meals. A significant bonus is the incredible aroma that fills your home as the applesauce slowly simmers and comes together in your CrockPot, creating a comforting and inviting atmosphere. It’s a delightful, homemade treat.
Crock Pot Rice
Rice is a staple in many cuisines, yet achieving perfectly fluffy results can sometimes be tricky. If you’re looking for an effortless method that bypasses fussy water-to-rice ratios and precise temperature control, this easy slow cooker guide is your new go-to. It ensures perfectly cooked, fluffy rice every single time, making it an invaluable addition to your slow cooker repertoire for any meal.
CrockPot Garlic Potatoes
Thanksgiving and the entire holiday season are our absolute favorite times to showcase these incredibly flavorful garlic potatoes. They are a magnificent accompaniment to a grand spread featuring CrockPot Turkey or Ham, alongside beloved sides like stuffing. However, their simple preparation means you can effortlessly whip them up for casual family dinners throughout the year. For an extra layer of indulgence, stir in a bit of cheddar cheese to create cheesy potatoes, or a packet of dry ranch seasoning mix for even more savory zest.
Loaded Mashed Slow Cooker Cauliflower
While the holidays often inspire indulgence, we also love offering delicious and healthy alternatives to ensure our health-conscious friends and family feel equally welcome and satisfied at the dinner table. This loaded mashed cauliflower, prepared in your slow cooker, ingeniously replaces potatoes with cauliflower, providing a guilt-free side dish that captures all the comforting flavor and texture of the “real” thing. It’s rich, creamy, and wonderfully flavorful.
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of scratch-made slow cooker Macaroni and Cheese filling your home. This all-time comfort food favorite is even better because of its effortless preparation, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully over hours. The irresistible scent it leaves behind will undoubtedly encourage you to go for that second helping! Be sure to check out the recipe post for some fun facts about this beloved dish.
Crock Pot Fried Apples
If you cherish the comforting, homestyle flavors of Cracker Barrel as much as we do, you’ll absolutely adore our homemade and slow cooker-made version of their famous fried apples. For the ultimate at-home Cracker Barrel experience, don’t forget to pair them with our Pecan Pancakes and a hearty serving of Chicken & Dumplings. It’s a sweet, tender side that evokes nostalgic memories and delicious warmth.
CrockPot Stuffed Peppers
These versatile CrockPot stuffed peppers can serve as either a delightful appetizer before a larger meal or a satisfying entrée, depending on your appetite. We often simplify meal prep by using individual microwaveable rice cups, but any pre-cooked rice – be it white, brown, or Mexican rice – would be equally delicious and complement the savory filling beautifully. They are a hearty and flavorful dish, perfect for customizing with your favorite ingredients.
CrockPot Cheesy Hashbrowns
Meet the ultimate nearly prep-free Cheesy Hash Browns! This incredibly easy recipe uses only pantry ingredients and requires no tedious peeling, dicing, chopping, slicing, marinating, or other complex kitchen exercises. Their simplicity means you can enjoy them effortlessly for special weekend brunches or even for a quick, comforting addition to busy weekday breakfasts. They’re a truly fuss-free and delicious side.
Crock Pot Quinoa
Quinoa, while a relatively ancient grain, has soared in popularity today as a superfood that’s incredibly versatile. It pairs wonderfully with salads or serves as a healthy, nutrient-packed alternative to rice alongside various meat entrées. Our recipe post offers a set-it-and-forget-it method for consistently achieving fluffy, perfectly cooked quinoa. Feel free to use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock if you’re serving vegetarians, ensuring this healthy side is enjoyed by all.
CrockPot Cabbage Rolls
While we cherish easy, fuss-free recipes that simplify life, there will always be a special place in our hearts and stomachs for a scratch-made meal prepared with love. Enter these delicious slow cooker cabbage rolls. They might require a little more hands-on effort than some of our other recipes, but we promise the rich, comforting result is absolutely worth every bit of work. They are a hearty and incredibly flavorful dish that truly satisfies.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Slow Cooking Success
Having the right tools can make your slow cooking experience even more enjoyable and efficient. Here are some of our tried-and-true favorites that enhance any kitchen:
Digital Timer Crockpot – We highly recommend investing in a slow cooker equipped with a digital timer that automatically switches to a “warm” setting after the set cooking time. This feature is invaluable; it ensures your dinner cooks to perfection without overcooking, eliminating any stress about monitoring it constantly. It’s a true set-it-and-forget-it convenience, especially crucial during busy holiday preparations when oven space is limited and scheduling multiple dishes is key.
Mix N Chop – This versatile kitchen gadget is a lifesaver for breaking up ground meats like sausage or ground beef while they brown in a skillet. Its unique design makes quick work of what can otherwise be a cumbersome task, ensuring even cooking and perfectly crumbled meat every time.
Baking Sheet with Sides – We are enormous fans of high-quality baking sheets with raised edges. These essential pans prevent food from sliding off, whether you’re transferring freshly baked cookies from the oven or roasting vegetables. They offer peace of mind and make handling hot items safer and cleaner.
Microwave Silicone Cover – I swear by these ingenious lid covers for preventing messy butter splatters when melting butter in the microwave. Having experienced far too many “butter explosions” while baking, these covers are a revelation. They keep the butter contained in the bowl and, more importantly, off the roof of your microwave, saving you from tedious clean-up.
Heat-Resistant Potholders – A few years ago, we had a frightening fire scare when a cloth potholder accidentally caught fire on an unnoticed hot burner. Thankfully, we quickly spotted the smoke and extinguished it ourselves. Since that incident, we have exclusively used these highly durable, heat-resistant silicone potholders. They offer superior protection and peace of mind, making kitchen safety a top priority.
Explore More Delicious & Easy Recipe Collections
If you enjoyed these Crockpot side dishes, be sure to delve into our other fantastic recipe collections, designed to inspire your culinary adventures and simplify your meal planning:
Recipes with Sour Cream – Discover our favorite recipes featuring this incredibly versatile dairy product, from creamy dips and decadent desserts to savory appetizers, baked goods, and hearty entrées and soups.
What to Make with Carrots – You’ll be astonished by the sheer variety of delicious ways you can incorporate carrots into your meals, beyond just simple roasted carrots.
Celery Recipes That Taste Great – Wondering how to utilize that celery in your fridge? Explore our top recipes featuring celery, transforming it into a flavorful component of many dishes.
Pucker Up for These Delicious Lemon Desserts – These delightful treats are the perfect sweet indulgence for spring and summer, offering a refreshing citrusy burst.
Epic Easy Vegetarian Air Fryer Recipes – Unlock a world of simple yet incredibly tasty vegetarian recipes that can be quickly prepared in your air fryer, perfect for healthy and convenient cooking.
Cool Whip Recipes – Be amazed at the countless creative and delicious ways you can use Cool Whip to enhance your desserts and sweet treats.
Cream Cheese Recipes – See how a humble block of cream cheese can be transformed into something truly epic, from savory spreads to decadent cheesecakes.
Are you a fan of discovering new and exciting recipes? Then be sure to explore our popular copycat recipes, indulge in our tempting dessert recipes, and browse our extensive collection of CrockPot Recipes for even more slow cooker inspiration.
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